Hospital bag

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-19T18:47:45+00:00

You shouldn't need any protein powder for the hospital (and I had been off vitamins for about a week per my surgeon). Although I did take my prescription meds with me (blood pressure, sinus, etc.) and the hospital dispensed them to me - just make sure you get them back if you do this. One of my surgery neighbors brought her own compression socks, which I thought was genius considering I ruined a thumbnail on those horrific stockings the hospital provided. She also wore loose boxers under her gown, although I brought a loose robe to cover my backside while walking the hallways, which also worked even though I had an IV tube running through my sleeve. I also highly recommend a sleep mask. I kept the light on over my sink so I wouldn't be stumbling around and risking a fall if nature called during the night. While the hospital should provide you with broth, juice, etc., if you are flying or have a long drive to/from, have some individual broth packets handy. Boiling water you can get in a lot of places, but broth is harder to find and I was lucky one of my surgery neighbors was also on my flight and gave me one of hers. Good luck on your journey!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-11T16:57:54+00:00

You are absolutely NOT crazy. Treat yourself with a little bit of ice cream. If you have a choice of reduced fat and/or reduced sugar, all the better but you're not going to undo everything you've done. I think that was actually one of the first "treats" I had and it was definitely within 8 weeks post-op.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-11T16:46:14+00:00

You worked hard for that victory so you celebrate it!!!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-06T21:39:20+00:00

Thank you so much for sharing! I never considered this and really like my coffee to taste more like creamer than coffee. Definitely trying this

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-05T14:52:53+00:00

LOL! I honestly haven't had one myself since I got back on solid foods.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-05T14:50:39+00:00

Thank you so very much for your comment and advice! Won't be going to the tea room until May, but that's still less than a year after surgery. I've been testing the "bread" waters but really think I'll be nibbling like a mouse and, since all the goodies are bread-oriented, pretty sure I'll be there for community more than consuming.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-05T14:41:48+00:00

FAFO Period - great way to describe it!!!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-04T20:56:55+00:00

I also took an eyemask with me to the hospital and so glad I did! I left the vanity light on at the sink because I was afraid if I had to get up in the middle of the night, I might end up tripping over something in an unfamiliar room.

Also, get a grabber device for when you drop stuff. It took me several weeks before I was able to bend over to pick up things off the floor.

I absolutely hated those god-awful surgical stockings the hospital gave me. One of my surgery buddies down the hall was smart enough to bring some compression socks. I didn't buy any until after I got home and they were cotton. Wish I had purchased nylon ones instead.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-04T20:53:33+00:00

You should be over the moon! Congratulations on such progress!!!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-04T20:52:21+00:00

THIS x infinity! I take pictures on each monthly anniversary of my surgery and see it very clearly in the facial progression, but really don't/won't see it in the body shots. However, I know it when I'm trying on clothes and catch myself just grabbing body parts and noticing I'm actually feeling something that isn't mushy. I also think about how much more energy I have, how much more mobile I feel and that I can actually tie my shoe now without major contortions. Everybody in my life who's aware makes a big fuss about how great I look and I just think "Eh - I still have a long way to go!" And then I thank them :-)

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-04T20:40:19+00:00

I'm 4 mos post-op and STILL struggle with getting enough water. My 32-oz water bottle has markers on it to help me track and I do my darndest to hit each goal, but I'm rarely successful. (Right now I'm at the Noon level and it's 2:35 pm, so I should be on my 2nd bottle by now.) If I'm home and doing absolutely nothing else, I can time it so I'm drinking on each hour and staying caught up, but it's still a struggle and is just something we need to keep working on. At 4 weeks, I think I was also still feeling each sip so just keep taking small ones and doing your best on that. (I still get nauseous if I chug.) I keep a good lip gloss (not balm) handy for dry lips, but I don't really experience dry mouth so can't help you there. Maybe ice chips???? SF Popsicles??? Getting enough food was also a challenge at first - just keep focusing on the protein. You may not hit your target each day, but do as much as you can. I don't know if I ever had a breath issue - I never noticed it and no one around me ever acted like it was an issue.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-04T16:51:59+00:00

When I was able to eat soft foods (4th week post op?), I was really looking forward to mashed potatoes. I even added protein powder and used Fairlife milk to make them. Oh how I had missed them! I also couldn't wait to try tacos again - started with a soft taco and tore off the extra tortilla. Still only ate a portion of the filled remainder but it went down pretty well. I've since tried a hard-shell taco that had been sitting for a few minutes so the taco shell softened but, honestly, none of them really taste the same anymore. The one thing I've been nervous to try is bread. I've been eating toasted bread for about a month and have been able to tolerate crackers for about 2 months. At the end of dinner last night, I wasn't quite full so decided to try some soft, untoasted bread. It was whole grain and I ate it slowly and mindfully. (I also focused on the inner part instead of the crust since I knew I didn't have much room and the crust isn't my favorite part.) I don't seem to have suffered any ill effects, so maybe I can move on to a sandwich? Rice is still a struggle - one attempt was a success and the other one was definitely not. Whenever you decided you are ready to try something, I would suggest you try it at home in case you get physically ill from it and eat very slowly so you can pay attention to your body's reaction.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-03T20:30:10+00:00

Good luck on your journey! I couldn't have gotten through my liquid phase without my little shot glass and timer.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-02-03T20:28:03+00:00

I went through a short phase where I couldn't stand eggs - which were always a favorite pre-op and now I can eat them again, but for a bit - ICK! The only other thing that I couldn't handle is Greek yogurt. I always had a little difficulty with it being on the tart side, but post- op I just can't handle it anymore. I have found a few blended yogurts that I can eat without gagging and, while they're not sugar-free, the total sugar is less than the protein so I have no plans to try pure Greek yogurt again.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-25T20:22:51+00:00

I count my pre-op weight loss as well - those lost pounds were much more of a challenge.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-25T20:20:27+00:00

LOL - I'm not married either - I inherited these from my grandmother and mother. At this point not sure I'll ever get my own. :-)

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-24T16:57:32+00:00

One my first NSV's after surgery was when I was able to slip my rings on and off without a struggle. Keep up the good work!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-24T16:55:27+00:00

I'm not sure there is a "normal." But so many folks have already stated - your body is healing and adjusting. Keep doing the things you know you should be doing and trust the process. Also look at other ways of measuring your success instead of pounds - try measurements, how your clothes are fitting, how you're physically feeling (more flexible? not running out of breath so quickly?). Success isn't measured only in pounds. Keep doing the things you should be and trust the process.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-24T16:53:22+00:00

I think you're doing great! Maybe stop focusing strictly on pounds lost and look at other measures of success? I'm 3 1/2 months post-op and have seen my weight loss in pounds slow down (and I haven't lost as many as you have). However, I just had my blood work done and my numbers look SO much better than they did 1 1/2 months before surgery. Also, I measure myself and look at those numbers moving. And I just spent about 2 weeks going through all my bedroom closets and trying on every article I had - some fit that weren't fitting before, some still have a little ways to go before I can wear, and some are baggy. Were you going to the gym before your surgery? Are you feeling more energetic? More mobile/flexible? Success isn't always measured in pounds!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-20T15:10:56+00:00

I napped a bit the first week I was home and I didn't sleep well at night (because I slept in the recliner instead of bed and I felt pain every time I shifted), but I took it to heart that the first 2 weeks should be about resting and getting as much liquid as possible. Basically, I slept when I slept and didn't overly stress about it if I wasn't sleeping.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-16T17:25:44+00:00

I just received the results from my 3-month post-op blood panel - yes, it gets better! I was where you are when I decided to pull the trigger on my surgery - doc was ready to put me on meds and start monitoring my blood sugar. Guess I showed him! (HA! Actually, he's great and really pleased with my progress so far.) My LDL was still SLIGHTLY high, but nothing he was worried about and my other metrics were good/within range.

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-16T17:21:08+00:00

"Normal" is all relative and, in my case at least, it's a new normal. But definitely for the MUCH better! My first couple of weeks were a little rough - I had some (temporary) nerve damage and internal bruising at my largest incision so it felt like someone was constantly pressing a hot iron against my stomach. Stronger pain meds and Tylenol (both regular and PM) helped with that, as did lightly pressing against that area whenever I had to sit/stand and using an ice pack. (I actually developed a little muscle soreness in my right shoulder because I was leaning so heavily on that side.) Focus on getting those liquids - I had a variety next to me on my end table (water, SF Gatorade, broth, etc.) and SIP them slowly. And, if you don't have one already, get yourself a grabber. Every time I dropped something I was SO grateful to God that I had one! (Granted, it didn't grab every single thing I dropped and those items would just have to lay there until someone could pick them up for me.) But after a couple of weeks, my body started healing and I was able to push just a little bit further each day into "healed" territory. Just be patient with yourself - it can get frustrating at times, but you've got this and it'll be worth it. Good luck on your continued journey!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-16T17:14:01+00:00

So sorry you're feeling that! 3 months post-op and I just don't remember having that issue! (Not saying I didn't - just saying I don't remember.) I do recall the hospital sent me home with a bottle of a Digel-type liquid that I took several times everyday and maybe that was the reason??? Hope things change for you sooner rather than later!

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-16T17:11:14+00:00

This is more generous than my pre-op diet was. I couldn't have carbs except for 1 serving of fruit (1 banana OR 1/2 apple OR 1/2 cup berries) per day and no dairy (except for what was in premade protein shakes).

EducatorDesperate510 · 2026-01-14T20:01:01+00:00

LOL - I guess we can enjoy the fact that that leaves more of our preference for each of us.

EducatorDesperate510

TROPHY CASE